Women’s Forum 2010

I am not even sure where to begin on this one! We had an incredible time at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center, NC, this month celebrating our 15th forum with over 1300 women! We were blessed by fabulous workshop leaders and topics, networking groups, worship led by Travis Cottrell and his praise team, messages by Beth Moore, Curtis Jones, Margaret Feinberg, and a panel of leaders.

But I think the highlight was the final session where the older women prayed over and commissioned the younger leaders. It was overwhelming to see so many young leaders at the forum, many for the first time. So many mentioned they can’t wait until 2011 Forum, which will be at LifeWay in Nashville next year!

Here is what Beth had them say to each other as before we prayed over the young leaders:

Ridgecrest Commissioning

Our Dear DaughtersAnd our beloved little sistersThis day on November 11, 2010We publically acknowledgeYour high calling in Jesus ChristAnd your vital place In this generationWe pledge to be there for youTo give you what we haveTo stand up for youTo pray for youAnd to believe in whatGod can do with youIn the power of ChristYou have what it takesTo carry to torch of the gospelTo your God-ordained generationYou are gifted by GodAnd fitted for your callingAt all costsResist comparison and competition We are one BodyOur unity is in our diversitySurrender yourself daily to LOVEHumble yourself daily to truly LIVEThe future is in good handsBecause it’s in God’s HandsBe strong and courageousBe of good cheer!Jesus is with youAnd He will keep you strong till the endNow unto Him Who is ableTo keep you from fallingBe glory and majesty Power and authorityThrough Jesus Christ our LordAmen

Next year our theme is “Decades…Because we are in this together.” Won’t you join us? We must reach all generations of women. As you study the differences in the generations at the 2011 forum, then discover ways to connect all the generations the heritage of faith continues to be passed down so that “future generations will know” (so that a future generation—children yet to be born—might know.” Psalm 78:6).

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I am SO grateful you were there Londa, and that this was a highlight for you. I know it was for all of us at LifeWay! Our goal was to connect the generations and commission the younger women for ministry. We will continue this thread next year at the 2011 forum in Nashville!

This truly does bless us to know God used the forum to confirm His call in your life! That was our prayer for the attendees and knowing God answered in your life and ministry is an answer to our prayers!

This commissioning was intensely meaningful to me. I haven’t felt much resistance from the older generations toward my calling to leadership (in fact I’ve usually had a good deal of support), but in the past I experienced considerable opposition from those my own age. For lots of reasons, the past few years I really began to question and doubt my calling and abilities. Part of that was a good thing because I came to accept that I have absolutely nothing in and of myself to offer anyone– only God does, and for some strange reason He decides to use me now and then. But something about this commissioning helped me regain some courage to keep following God’s lead, no matter where He takes me or what it ends up looking like. And seeing the generations bridged in such a large-scale, powerful way was absolutely a dream come true for me– God is SO up to something. I can’t wait for next year.

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7 years 14 days ago

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